Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

This will not happen unfortunately :o

Being quick at a task doesn't come unless you practice :(

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

Well... I am a FIRST volunteer so thanks for the compliment! :)

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

I'm thinking that the critical path will be moving the totes around behind the drivers stations. To that end a lightweight cart designed to hold and transport 3 or 4 stacks of 3 totes. A 5 by 3 arrangement would be ideal in some respects since there are 4 piles of 15 totes behind the drivers stations but 15 totes is over 100 pounds-mass someone would be rolling around and that configuration would probably be either be too tall to be stable or too long to be maneuverable.

I'll bodge something together for the Itasca week zero event which would give me time to tweak it before Northern Lights/Lake Superior regional in Duluth.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

I completely agree that it would be fairly time-consuming for a small amount of volunteers to reset the field. They would need tools such as dollies. However, sliding the stacks of totes is also a viable option. The only issue, is time. The only solution that I have thought of so far, MANY people.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

I just reached out to the main wranglers for all the GREAT! FIRST alums we had last year doing field reset. They were a well oiled machine and had so much fun. Looks like we will need just as many resetters this year. Maybe assembly line is the way to go?

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

These totes are very similar to KeepBoxes and IRIS boxes.
I own a rather large number of these 12 gallon containers (more than 80).

I usually stack them inside each other and can carry 8 of them at the same time like that no problem with the exception of door frames of which there are few on the FIRST field.

8lbs x 8 containers is 64 pounds.
That's around the weight of 2 cinder blocks, one in each hand.

That's empty of course, if you want to be mean fill them with computer books.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

Are you suggesting we cut the zipties to allow us to open the totes and put them inside each other? That might take more time to cut and re-ziptie than it would take to make another trip.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

Surely FIRST will have some solution to this issue.
Whether the issue is moving the sealed containers or resealing the containers.
So I am just saying that one can carry 8 of these inside of each other like that.
The weight of the 8 containers per person per trip is generally manageable.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

one minute won't be possible for even a group of field resetters since there are over 140 totes alluding reset into a set position in a particular orientation. things could take awhile.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

It would be nice if FIRST has considered this. They may have, they may just assume that every event can throw enough people at field reset to make it work.

Consider if you will your suggestion of hauling 8 containers at once. Even with that, you're talking about making 8 trips from center field to behind the drivers stations while carrying 60+ pounds and those 8 round trips need to be completed in 90 seconds. I'm going to say that's not possible for a single person and difficult for two. Even if it was, after 70 or 80 matches on Thursday their legs and arms will be quivering masses of jelly.

Then they get to come back and do the same again on Friday and Saturday.

If it's being done totally by hand, field reset is going to need to be at least 10 to 12 people and they're going to have to be moving.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

We need a field resetting robot competition to play between the actual matches.
Sounds like that's what you are saying :)

Personally I think this is FIRST's way of figuring out how to move all the of the 12 gallon containers they must have somewhere.
It just looks like a game.

Segway with a trailer?
http://www.glide4less.com/product/se...iler-and-hitch
Just brainstorming ways to move containers and lighten the load of the field reset crew.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

So basically focus resources on having an army of field reset people. Why is that an issue? Just make sure they're organized and efficient.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

Well, for me personally it's because we're running 2 regionals under the same roof on the same day in a metropolitan area of 250,000 people. The Double DECCer in Duluth is the biggest FRC event outside St. Louis. But with a lovely small town feel!

Saying "get an army" (or rather 2 armies) is optimistic at best, particularly on Thursday and Friday which are normal business/school days. Hence my concern for how it can be done as efficiently as possible with as few people as possible.

I expect there will be similar issues with a smaller volunteer pool at many of the smaller district events as well.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

Well on a school day at 64lbs a stack of 8 you just made a very good gym workout :)
Then you can find out who is really good at it and they win: working the weekend!

I'm sure someone in the Army has done something like this to a bunch of recruits before.

That aside, I suspect the reset time will get extended a few minutes to make this work.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

A few options:
1) Have extra field reset volunteers week 1 to compensate for it taking longer.
2) Ask your field reset volunteers to watch the video. If they don't think they can cary 7-15 pounds of weight consider swapping roles with some one else.
3) *All* the totes don't need to go back to their original positions each match. The middle ones probably won't all get messed up/moved far away from the start location. (especially at a week one.)
4) FIRST will supply extra totes for when they get damaged. Depending on how many there are, you can sort of pre-stage some. Maybe have a set of 30 next to the human player area so they just have to be moved to the right location.